DOJ Report Faults FBI For Errors In Russia Investigation But Finds No Evidence Of Anti-Trump Conspiracy

A long-awaited report from the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General faulted the Federal Bureau of Investigation for how it conducted its investigation into Trump campaign officials' ties to Russia, but also exonerated the agency from claims by the president that it was engaged in a conspiracy against him.

Investigators found "no documentary or testimonial evidence" of political bias during the course of the FBI's Russia investigation, which went under the name Crossfire Hurricane. Inspector General Michael Horowitz concluded the agency had sufficient evidence to open the investigation in July 2016.

However, the investigation did fault FBI investigators for making errors during its investigation of former Trump campaign aide Carter Page. Page was subject to a wiretap under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act; the report found at least 17 errors or omissions in the FBI's application to surveil him.

"We are deeply concerned that so many basic and fundamental errors were made by three separate, hand-picked investigative teams on one of the most sensitive FBI investigations; after the matter had been briefed to the highest levels within the FBI, even though the information sought through the use of FISA authority related so closely to an ongoing presidential campaign, and even though those involved with the investigation knew that their actions were likely to be subjected to close scrutiny," Horowitz writes in the report.

Trump mischaracterized the report as affirming his allegations that his campaign was treated unfairly.

"The IG report just came out and I was just briefed on it and it's a disgrace what's happened with respect to the things that were done to our country. It should never again happen to another president. It is incredible, far worse than I would've ever thought possible," Trump said.

House Democrats largely embraced the report as affirming the legitimacy of the Russia investigation.

“The IG’s report shows that the investigation Special Counsel [Robert] Mueller took over was not politically motivated and that officials acted appropriately in opening the investigation,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., said in a joint statement. “While the IG identified some problems with the FISA applications by lower level individuals, the IG ‘did not find documentary or testimonial evidence of intentional misconduct.’ The report affirms that DOJ and FBI had an authorized purpose to conduct temporary surveillance as part of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has used the report to argue that the Russia investigation was without merit.

“The inspector general’s report now makes clear that the FBI launched an intrusive investigation of a U.S. presidential campaign on the thinnest of suspicions that, in my view, were insufficient to justify the steps taken,” Barr said in a statement.

FBI Director Chris Wray said the agency will be using the report to improve its operations.

“We are vested with significant authorities and it is our obligation as public servants to ensure these authorities are exercised with objectivity and integrity,” he said. “Anything less falls short of the FBI’s duty to the American people.”